San Juan de Miraflores, a sprawling district in southern Lima, was shaken on Saturday afternoon when a large and fast-moving fire erupted in the Pamplona Alta sector, an area known for its steep hillsides and dense concentration of self-built housing. The first signs of danger appeared as a column of dark smoke rose above the neighborhood, visible from multiple districts across the city. Residents quickly realized the seriousness of the situation as flames leapt from rooftop to rooftop, fueled by strong winds and the highly combustible materials used in many of the homes. Wooden beams, plastic sheets, cardboard partitions, and improvised electrical connections created conditions in which the fire could spread with alarming speed. Families rushed into the streets carrying children, elderly relatives, and whatever belongings they could grab in a matter of seconds. Many attempted to fight the fire themselves using buckets of water, hoses, and even blankets, but the intensity of the flames soon made these efforts futile. Panic mixed with disbelief as people watched years of work and sacrifice consumed by fire, while the smoke thickened and sirens began to echo through the narrow passageways of the hillside settlement. Continue reading…
